Kaye Riddick Byrum, 80, of Black Mingle Road, Gates, NC, went to be with the Lord on Sunday, May 24, 2026.

Kaye was born on March 14, 1946, in Suffolk, VA. She was the daughter of the late Treswell Harrison Riddick and Virgie Mae Bunch Riddick. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her brother, Darnell Riddick. Kaye was a homemaker, farmer’s wife, and bookkeeper for the family business. She was a beloved wife, mother, and MiMi, as well as a faithful member of Middle Swamp Baptist Church.

Left to cherish her memory is her husband of 40 years, Wayne Byrum; five children, Tommy Byrum (Joy), Bubba Strickland (Ashley), Darryl Byrum (Christy), Stephanie Reppy (Ed), and David Strickland (Margaret); eleven grandchildren, Samantha Chappell (Alex), DJ Hondros, Evan Hondros, Marrissa Grizzle (Bryan), Victoria Campbell (Ethan), Megan Norton (Alex), Bryanna Crawford, Parker Kral (David), Catherine Byrum, Thomas Byrum (Mackenzie), and Frankie Reppy (Jordan); eleven great-grandchildren, Juliann Chappell, Alessandra Norton, Anezka Kral, Harlow Burkhart, David Kral, Samuel Norton, Lucy Norton, Jonah Chappell, Lilah Kral, Kreelyn Phelps, and Evelyn Norton, with two more great-grandchildren on the way; a sister, Norma Lassiter; and many nieces and nephews.

A graveside service will be held Saturday, May 30, 2026, at 2:00pm at Middle Swamp Baptist Church Cemetery, officiated by Pastor Burt Pearce. A reception will follow in the church social hall. The family will receive friends at the family home at all other times.

The family would like to extend a special thank you to Albemarle Home Care & Hospice for the kindness, compassion, and exceptional care given to Kaye during her final days.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Albemarle Home Care & Hospice, 1129 Horseshoe Road, Elizabeth City, NC 27909, or to Middle Swamp Baptist Church, 639 Middle Swamp Road, Corapeake, NC 27926.

Miller & Van Essendelft Funeral Home, 304 Main Street, Gatesville, NC is assisting the Byrum family with arrangements and online condolences may be made by visiting www.millerfhc.com